Re: White X on dwaft holly's

I have the same on honeysuckle leaves, but not on the holly. The honeysuckle is a newer, weaker plant, the holly is old & stronger. I'm hoping that good care will make a difference. We never know what plants have gone thru in shipping. The new leaves are fine.

Have you tried just wiping it off a few leaves to see if it's a mineral deposit from hard water? If you wanted a real science experiment, you could take a few leaves & see if Tilex, or CLR foams up on contact with the "minerals". If so, try not to get water on the leaves.

Re: White X on dwaft holly's

Thanks Nik

When I spray the entire plant from the water hose, the ones w the white residue temporarily go away. But when they dry, they come back. The new leaves however, do not show any signs of the white when they dry. This has been done many times.

I might take some samples to a qualified nursery and see if have an "immediate I know what that is". If they too are ambiguous, the search is still on...

Re: White X on dwaft holly's

Quote:

Originally Posted by tstex

Thanks Nik

When I spray the entire plant from the water hose, the ones w the white residue temporarily go away. But when they dry, they come back. The new leaves however, do not show any signs of the white when they dry. This has been done many times.

I might take some samples to a qualified nursery and see if have an "immediate I know what that is". If they too are ambiguous, the search is still on...

If the new leaves are fine, then why not wait until the old leaves drop off? Or take them off gradually. It may just be that it has an infection on the previously stressed leaves, that the new leaves are strong enough to fight off.

My holly hadn't been watered or fertilized by the previous person. Now, it's growing beautifully. I have to prune it again!

I honestly think the most likely culprit is minerals or mildew. Water will make either disappear temporarily. The healthier leaves may have a stronger protective coating. But, watering the leaves won't help with mildew.

Re: White X on dwaft holly's

Note: no other plants/bushes or other have this problem. The only other thing I was dealing w is white scale on my front yard sago palms [the hollies are in the back]. My nbor never treats his sego palms and I'm always getting them sometime later again after successfully treating mine

Re: White X on dwaft holly's

I've been buying a lot of plants lately & I'm always surprised at how some can actually be in poor condition, initially. It seems like some growers are just in it for the money, not for pride in a healthy product. Some are grown in hothouses in different climates & forced to flower (not speaking of hollies) then drop all their flowers immediately after bought. It's frustrating, but all have responded to good care.

It's hard to know without testing, how much fertilizer is in the original pot's soil. I have been known to overfertilize already fertilized plants. Then lots of leaf growth & no flowers. Not saying this is your issue, at all. Just venting.